MHLife 2026 BRINGS MALAYSIA’S MUSLIM-FRIENDLY LIFESTYLE AND TOURISM EXPERIENCES TOGETHER

Premier festival brings together food, modest fashion, culture and heritage to showcase Malaysia’s positioning as a leading Muslim-friendly tourism destination

L-R: Mr. Ishak Othman Business Development Head RHB Islamic Bank Berhad, Datuk Wira Mustafa Chan Chee Wei Group Managing Director Mohd Chan Group Berhad, Mr. Mohd Faisal Suaib Khan Director General ITC, Datuk Surrendren Sathasivam Deputy Secretary-General (Management) MOTAC, Mr. Chua Choon Hwa Deputy Secretary-General (Tourism) MOTAC, Pn. Hanida Mohamed Yusof Production Director Istana Budaya, Mr. Mohamad Muhaimin Aminuddin Chief Strategic Planning Officer Siti Khadijah Group, and Mr. Amizal Fadzli Rajali Undersecretary of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Regional Cooperation Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the MHLife 2026 soft launch event.

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 September 2026 — The inaugural Malaysia Halal Lifestyle Festival (MHLife) 2026, happening from 23 to 25 October 2026 at Dataran Karnival, Stadium Shah Alam, Selangor is set to elevate Malaysia’s diverse Muslim-friendly lifestyle and tourism offerings.

Positioned as the country’s premier Muslim-friendly lifestyle and tourism festival, MHLife 2026 was introduced today as part of the Islamic Tourism Centre’s (ITC) ongoing Islamic Tourism Month (ITM) 2026. MHLife 2026 is officially supported by its strategic partners RHB Islamic Bank Berhad, Mohd Chan Group Berhad, Siti Khadijah Group and Istana Budaya.

Mr. Chua Choon Hwa, Deputy Director-General (Tourism,, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia believes that MHLife 2026 plays an important role in establishing Malaysia’s capacity to cater to global Muslim travellers.

“In 2025, Malaysia welcomed 9.7 million Muslim visitors, the highest recorded to date. By 2030, this figure is projected to reach 15 million. This growth presents a clear opportunity to strengthen Malaysia’s position in the market while generating greater value for tourism businesses, local communities and the wider economy,” he said.

As Malaysia builds momentum around Visit Malaysia 2026 and the upcoming SEA Games 2027, MHLife 2026 will also provide a national platform to showcase why Malaysia is a leading Muslim-friendly tourism destination.

Mr. Mohammad Faisal Abu Suaib Khan, Director-General of Islamic Tourism Centre, said: “MHLife 2026 is about showing that the halal lifestyle is much broader than food. It also includes fashion, travel, heritage, wellness, and other aspects of everyday life. Through this festival, we want to bring these different areas together and give visitors a well-rounded experience of Malaysia’s halal and Muslim-friendly offerings.

“Malaysia has a strong, globally recognised halal ecosystem, and this creates opportunities in other areas, including Muslim-friendly tourism. We want to see more local businesses benefit from this growing market, while giving visitors more reasons to discover what Malaysia has to offer,” he added.

Beyond attracting visitors to the festival itself, MHLife 2026 aims to increase visibility for local destinations and businesses, encourage tourism activity, and show how Malaysia’s established halal ecosystem complements the country’s tourism, hospitality, culture, and lifestyle offerings.

Centred around the theme Rasa, Gaya, Warisan, MHLife 2026 invites visitors to “Taste Malaysia, Wear Malaysia, Experience Malaysia”, celebrating the flavours, creativity and traditions that shape the ultimate Malaysian experience. Visitors can expect delectable F&B offerings at 16 pavilions representing the 13 states and three federal territories of Malaysia and home-grown brands, along with cultural showcases, performances and interactive activities.

During the launch, ITC also announced its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH).

The collaborations focus on enhancing the recognition and market value of Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality Assurance and Recognition (MFAR), building industry capacity through training, and supporting long-term sector development through joint promotional and industry engagement initiatives.

MHLife 2026 visitors can expect full-fledged programmes encompassing Muslim-friendly tourism, beauty and wellness, handicrafts, family activities, shopping, competitions and live entertainment, including the Harmony Night Concert featuring renowned local contemporary and traditional performers.

Further details on participating vendors, programmes, performances, activities and festival highlights will be announced in the lead-up to MHLife 2026.

Opportunities beyond the three-day festival

MHLife 2026 is also designed to create longer-term opportunities for local businesses.

All participating vendors will automatically be included in ITC’s official Muslim-Friendly Tourism Directory, giving them continued online visibility within Malaysia’s Muslim-friendly tourism ecosystem beyond the festival itself.

The directory provides an additional platform for businesses to be discovered by consumers and travellers, while helping to broaden the range of Muslim-friendly products, services and experiences available across Malaysia.

Applications are currently open for businesses interested in participating as vendors at MHLife 2026, including those in food and beverage, modest fashion, beauty and wellness, handicrafts, Muslim-friendly tourism, lifestyle products and other relevant categories.

Interested vendors can register at www.mhlife.com.my.

MHLife 2026 will take place from 23 to 25 October 2026 at Dataran Karnival, Stadium Shah Alam, Selangor. Admission is free.

For the latest news, programme updates and festival announcements, visit MHLife 2026 at www.mhlife.com.my and follow its official social media platforms on Facebook: Malaysia Halal Lifestyle Festival; Instagram: @mhlife.festival and TikTok: @mhlife.festival.